Group Faults Bode George Over Criticism of Appeal Court Ruling on ADC Crisis
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Group Faults Bode George Over Criticism of Appeal Court Ruling on ADC Crisis
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Democratic Front, TDF, has criticised a former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George, over his comments on the Court of Appeal ruling restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognising the state congresses conducted by the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
The group described George’s allegations against the judiciary as unfounded, insisting that the appellate court merely performed its constitutional role by adjudicating on a dispute brought before it by aggrieved members of the ADC.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Danjuma Mallam Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group said it was disappointed that a former military administrator would criticise the judiciary over a matter that was properly before the courts.
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The statement accused George of attempting to blackmail the judiciary and undermine the constitutional right of aggrieved party members to seek legal redress.
“We find it particularly sad that Chief Bode George was accused with a clear intent to blackmail the judiciary, and with prejudice to the right of aggrieved members of the ADC to seek redress in a court of law over what they perceived as a breach of their fundamental rights,” the statement read.
The group dismissed claims that the judiciary was acting in concert against the ADC, describing such allegations as “irresponsible, rascally and unfounded.”
According to TDF, the crisis within the ADC began after the emergence of a leadership led by former Senate President David Mark, alleging that due constitutional procedures and provisions of laws regulating political parties were disregarded.
It further claimed that the party leadership prematurely dissolved state executive committees before the expiration of their tenure, describing the action as a violation of democratic principles and the rule of law.
The group maintained that the Appeal Court ruling sought to address those alleged infractions rather than interfere in the internal affairs of the party.
It blamed the lingering crises within opposition parties on what it described as the desperation of some politicians to gain political advantage, rather than any action of the judiciary.
TDF urged Nigerians to disregard George’s comments and those of other opposition figures, insisting that attempts to discredit the judiciary over recent court decisions should not be encouraged.
